The use of cognition-enhancing drugs by healthy individuals in the absence of a medical indication spans numerous controversial issues, including the ethics and fairness of their use, concerns over adverse effects, and the diversion of prescription drugs for non-medical uses.
hereunder we give you an initial input for your personal research which we hope will eventually bring you above and beyond your expectations
Adaptogens Nootropic effects
What are Adaptogens ?
Adaptogens are a specific class of herbs and mushrooms that help your body reach equilibrium. Adaptogens work by supporting the endocrine system: they alleviate stimuli to stress, ultimately striking a balance between stress and normalization, allowing the body to naturally achieve homeostasis. Never take any Adptogen without consulting your doctor, especially if your are taking other prescription drugs.
What are Nootropics
The term "nootropics" first referred to chemicals that met very specific criteria. But now it's used to refer to any natural or synthetic substance that may have a positive impact on mental skills. In general, nootropics fall into three general categories: dietary supplements, synthetic compounds, and prescription drugs. Here we will explore only natural "dietary supplements" Nootropics
Power Foods for the Brain
Neal Barnard - TEDxBismarck - 2016
Neal Barnard, MD, FACC, is an Adjunct Professor of Medicine at the George Washington University School of Medicine in Washington, D.C., and President of the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine
Written by Eva-Maria Morton de Lachapelle for CSS Health Insurance
Saffron (Crocus sativus)
Uses
Here are a few science-backed benefits of Saffron
1. A Powerful Antioxidant 2. May Improve Mood and Treat Depressive Symptoms 3. May Have Cancer-Fighting Properties 4. May Reduce PMS Symptoms 5. May Act as an Aphrodisiac 6. May Reduce Appetite and Aid Weight Loss 7.May lower blood sugar levels: 8.May improve eyesight in adults with age-related macular degeneration (AMD)
Saffron and Alzheimers disease, interesting research against comon pharmaceutical treatments.
The dried thread-like parts of the flower (stigmas) are used to make saffron spice, food coloring, and medicine. It has great properties for the brain.
Here are a few science-backed benefits of ashwagandha.
1. Relieves Stress and Anxiety 2. Lowers Blood Sugar and Fat 3. Increases Muscle and Strength 4. Improves Sexual Function in Women 5. Boosts Fertility and Testosterone Levels in Men 6. Supports Heart Health 7. Sharpens Focus and Memory Small studies have found that, compared to a placebo, ashwagandha significantly improved participants’ reaction times during cognition and psychomotor tests (which measure the ability to respond to instructions and perform an indicated action) One study even found that ashwagandha significantly improved participants’ attention spans, as well as their immediate and general memory across a variety of tests.
Ashwagandha is associated with hormone balance, can have unintended consequences for people struggling with a sluggish thyroid or Hashimoto’s disease.
About Ashwagandha
Withania somnifera, known commonly as ashwagandha or winter cherry or "Indian Ginseng" although unrelated to other ginsengs it shares some properties. Its an annual evergreen shrub in the Solanaceae or nightshade family that grows in India, the Middle East, and parts of Africa. Several other species in the genus Withania are morphologically similar.
Bacopa Monnieri
Uses
Bacopa monnieri is used in Ayurvedic traditional medicine to improve memory and to treat various ailments. Reviews of preliminary research found that Bacopa monnieri may improve cognition, although the effect was measurable only after several weeks of use. Meta-analysis and reviews of clinical studies found evidence that the herb may improve cognition. It is thought that Bacopa monnieri primarily works by stimulating neuron dendrite branching, thus facilitating inter-neural communication. This view is contested, with others suggesting that Bacopa monnieri's nootropic effects are the result of its status as an antioxidant and adaptogen.
In 2019, the FDA issued warning letters to manufacturers of dietary supplements containing Bacopa monnieri that advertised health claims for treating or preventing stomach disease, Alzheimer's disease, hypoglycemia, blood pressure, and anxiety were unproven and illegal. The FDA stated that Bacopa monnieri products have not been approved for these or any medical purposes
About Bacopa Monnieri
Bacopa monnieri is a perennial, creeping herb native to the wetlands of southern and Eastern India, Australia, Europe, Africa, Asia, and North and South America. It is known by the common names water hyssop, waterhyssop, brahmi, thyme-leafed gratiola, herb of grace, and Indian pennywort
The "Emperor" of adaptogens, the Panax (Asian) Ginseng
Uses
Traditional Chinese doctors have prescribed Ginseng for centuries to help boost energy and vitality. This is the link to WebMD article. We reccomend investigating liquid forms which are much less common and high quality products
Its root contains compounds called ginsenosides, which have antioxidative and anti-inflammatory effects. Panax ginseng is purported to enhance longevity, promote cognitive functions, and alleviate fatigue. Some clinical trials have reported that Panax ginseng treatment improves cognitive functions in healthy people and in dementia patients, but the evidence is mixed due to the limitations in the methodological quality of the trials and product differences.
About Panax Ginseng
Panax ginseng, ginseng, also known as Asian ginseng, Chinese ginseng, or Korean ginseng, is a species of plant whose root is the original source of ginseng. It is a perennial plant that grows in the mountains of East Asia. It is among the longest living of plants
The "Lion's Mane" of adaptogens, the Hericium erinaceus
Uses
We only link one article for this even if it's clearly not enough because for such an important adaptogen. It's one of the safest medicinal mushrooms you can take, but has some side effects which are not very documented.
Hericium erinaceus may improve the development and function of nerves. It might also protect nerves from becoming damaged. This might help prevent conditions such as anxiety, memory loss, Alzheimer disease, or Parkinson disease. Hericium erinaceus also seems to help protect the mucous membrane layer of the stomach. This might help improve symptoms related to long-term swelling of the stomach lining (gastritis) or stomach ulcers. The effect of lion's mane may vary from person to person. Many studies have shown it to passe the blood brain barrier. May increase neurogenesis in the hippocampus which is the part of your brain responsible for learning and memory
About Lion's Mane
Hericium erinaceus also called lion's mane mushroom, mountain-priest mushroom or bearded tooth fungus is an edible mushroom belonging to the tooth fungus group. Native to North America, Europe and Asia, tendency to grow a single clump of dangling spines. The fruit bodies can be harvested for culinary use.
Brown Seaweed
Uses
George Vradenburg, chairman and co-founder of UsAgainstAlzheimer’s, welcomed the announcement by Shanghai Green Valley Pharmaceuticals that Oligomannate had been approved by China's National Medical Products Administration as a new oral treatment for mild to moderate Alzheimer's disease based on its demonstration in clinical trials of improved cognition. Green Valley said it will launch Oligomannate in China later in 2019 and that it plans to start phase 3 clinical trials in the U.S., Europe and Asia in early 2020.
Oligomannate is made of extracts from brown algae
According to Green Valley, Oligomannate works by modifying the regulation of the gut microbiata, a different method of action than that used in Aducanamab and pimavanserin. “This diversification in the methods of attack against Alzheimer’s is an important development,” Vradenburg said. “In the near future, we can look forward to an increasing array of innovative approaches — and combinations of approaches — to prevent and treat this disease
About Brown Algae
Brown algae (singular: alga), comprising the class Phaeophyceae, are a large group of multicellular algae, including many seaweeds located in colder waters within the Northern Hemisphere. Brown algae are the major seaweeds of the temperate and polar regions. Most brown algae live in marine environments, where they play an important role both as food and as a potential habitat. Many brown algae, such as members of the order Fucales, commonly grow along rocky seashores. Some members of the class, such as kelps, are used by humans as food.
Rhodiola rosea L. and Alzheimer’s Disease: From
Farm to Pharmacy By: Nabavi, Seyed Fazel, Braidy, Nady, Orhan, Ilkay Erdogan, Badiee, Arash, Daglia, Maria, Nabavi, Seyed Mohammad PDF to download
A randomized trial of two different doses of a SHR-5 Rhodiola rosea extract versus placebo and control of capacity for mental work PDF to download
The use of our ancient natural medicines continues to grow with the expansion of modern medicine. Withania and Rhodiola are considered by many the “Kings” and “Queens” of herbal medicines for restoring health, vitality, immunity, and stamina and promoting longevity. One is struck by the versatility of RR, from its description in Greek medicine, 2000 years ago, to its use by 20th century cosmonauts
About R.Rosea
About 140 chemical compounds are in the subterranean portions of R. Rosea. The genus Rhodiola contains more than 100 different species and 20 of these are used in trditional Asian medicine, however the most studies have been done on Rhodiola Rosea. In Russia and Scandinavia, R. rosea has been used for centuries to cope with the cold Siberian climate and stressful life. It is also used to increase physical endurance and resistance to high-altitude sickness, but the scientific evidence for such benefits is weak. The plant has been used in traditional Chinese medicine, where it is called hóng jǐng tiān
